Irudek Bidasoa Irun secured a hard-fought 39-37 victory over HF Hafnarfjordur in a high-scoring European League clash at Artaleku, surviving a frantic late surge from the visiting Icelandic side. Despite entering the match as clear favorites following a strong start to the Liga Asobal season, Bidasoa was pushed to the limit in a chaotic encounter defined by rapid counterattacks, numerous turnovers, and stellar goalkeeping.
A Chaotic Opening and Icelandic Resistance
The visiting HF squad arrived in Irun showing plenty of offensive freshness, quickly putting the home side on the back foot. Icelandic goalkeeper Thorsteinsson stymied Bidasoa’s attack early, stopping the first four local shots—including a seven-meter penalty—to keep the scoreboard level. Errors in circulation and shooting plagued both sides during a breathless opening period that saw the visitors trade blows with the hosts. HF managed to sustain a competitive edge for nearly ten minutes in Artaleku, exploiting early Bidasoa mistakes and relying on Thorsteinsson’s 14 total saves to stay within striking distance.
Turning the Tide Before Halftime
Bidasoa eventually found its rhythm after an early opposition exclusion shifted the momentum. Xavi González capitalized from the seven-meter mark, converting three penalties while teammate Nevado added three crucial goals to fuel a vital 9-6 run that erased a 3-5 deficit. Mozas attempted to organize his defense, but the match remained an end-to-end sprint. Bidasoa established its largest lead of the first half right before the break, when Miguel Ángel Martín scored on a free throw with the clock expiring, sending the home team into the locker room ahead 18-14.
Frenetic Final Minutes and Decisive Scoring
The second half brought further tactical adjustments as both coaching staffs experimented with 5:1 defensive formations to disrupt opposing ball movement. Bidasoa appeared to seal the contest when a scoring burst extended their advantage to 28-22 with under twenty minutes remaining. However, the Icelandic visitors refused to fold, orchestrating a rapid comeback that narrowed the gap to 29-26. As the clock wound down, the game deteriorated into a frenetic exchange of goals and turnovers. Bidasoa maintained a cushion of four to five goals into the final minute, ultimately running out the clock as late defensive lapses allowed HF to narrow the final margin to 39-37.
Match Statistics and Scorers
Xavi González led Bidasoa with 8 goals, including four penalties, while Salinas anchored the offense with 9 strikes. Nevado contributed 4 goals, Martín added 4, Mujika scored 3, and Tuà chipped in 3. Gastaminza, Furundarena, Iribar, Mindegia, and Magalhaes each added a single goal. For HF Hafnarfjordur, Gudjonsson matched Salinas with 8 goals (four from the seven-meter line), Arndal added 8, Gudmunsson tallied 6, and Sigurgeirsson scored 4. Referees Davor and Zoran Loncar issued exclusions to Bidasoa’s Furundarena, Sladkowski, Martín, and Magalhaes, alongside visiting players Bragason, Sigurgeirsson, Gudmunsson, and Gunnarsson.
